Rammer



S. SCHIFF Sept. 5, 1950 RAMMER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 18, 1945 IN V EN TOR.

5 $5 D. U WXA M. 8 0 a S. SCHIFF Sept. 5, I950 RAMMER S Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 18, 1945 I INVENTOR. SIGMUND scum BY" yzwwmm ATTORNEYS Sep 5, 1950 s. SCHJFF RAMMER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 18, 1945 v gvwcm'tom Sigh-mu d Schiff S. SCHIFF Sept. 5, 1950 RAMMER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 18,. 1945 INVENTOR, SIGMUND SCI-"Fl ATTORNEYS Sept. 5, 1950 s. SCHIFF 2,520,966

RAMMER Filed Dec. 18. 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I NVENTOR.

SIGMUND SCI-FF ATZ'URNEYS Patented Sept. 5, 1950 RAMMER Sigmund Schifi, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to United States of America as represented by the Secretary of War Application December 18,1945, Serial No. 635,817

24 Claims. ('01. 89-47) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a gun rammer and more particularly to a rammer of the recoiloperated type.

The invention contemplates and has for its principal object the provision of an improved rammer of the recoil-operated type and particularly a rammer adapted for attachment to and functioning with an artillery weapon of heavy caliber. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the recoiling parts of artillery weapons move with great force and at high rates of speed and it has heretofore been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to provide a recoil-operated rammer that could be suitably adapted to utilize the recoil forces. The rammer provided according to the present invention constitutes an improvement on the rammer set forth in my copending application, Serial No. 594,465, filed May 18, 1945. My present rammer eliminates the several disadvantages of known rammers and provides a rammer that is efficient in operation and that is suitably controlled so that it may be incorporated into an artillery weapon in such a manner that the operation of the weapon and the loading of rounds of ammunition into the weapon are coordinated to the extent that these two tunetions become automatic.

An important object of the invention is to provide a rammer structure in which provision is made for eliminating defects in operation heretofore caused by uncontrolled movement of parts resulting from the inertia and shocks ordinarily inherent in the operation of the artillery weapon.

It is another important object of the invention to provide a rammer constructed and arranged to follow a four-phase movement so that it travels rearwardly or breechwardly upon recoil of the weapon, then moves in a path normal to the recoil stroke to engage a round of ammunition, then moves forwardly after recoil of the Weapon to load the round, and then moves laterally or normal to the direction of counterrecoil to move the round-engaging means out of the path of the empty cartridge case that is extracted and ejected after the weapon is fired.

Another object is to provide releasable means connecting the rammer to the recoiling parts of the weapon so that the breechward. travel of the rammer is controlled to the end that the initial shock of recoil does not drive the rammer freely amended April 30, 1928; 370 G. 757) z. rearwardly; such releasable eliminates possible damage to the rammer or its connections to the weapon.

Still another object of the-invention is to pro vide the releasable means in the form of a clutch or releasable lock operable in response to a predetermined phase of the recoil stroke, such as a predetermined distance of travel or alprefdetermined rate of speed of the parts in recoil.

The invention has for another object the provision of a rammer that is mounted for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and also for rocking movement and to provide in conjunction therewith yieldable means: loaded ortensioned upon reciprocation of the rammer for reaction to rock the rammer, whereby the aforesaid four-phase movement is achieved without the'use of separate driving means.

Still other objects of the invention are to provide novel mechanical movements and to apply these movements to the rammer; to provide .a rammerthat is simple in .construction and cmcient in operation; and to'provide a rammer that maybe suitably attached toand operated with artillery weapons of anyv caliber. 1 .7 V

The foregoing and other objects and desirable features of the invention-will appear more clear- 1y asthe disclosure is amplified in the followin detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawings in which:

' Fig.1 is a side elevation of the rammer shown in position on an artilleryweapon of conven-' tional .type, the weapon being indicated in dot-e for tensioning the spring to rock the rammer in its support on the weapon;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the rammer-supporting housing showing in position therein the inside-memberor island that forms the plate member of the cam means for guiding the rammer during'reciprocation and. rocking, the view being considerably enlarged over the illustration of the same parts inFig.2;

fig. 7' is an end elevation, diagrammatic in form, showing the arrangementof the rammer connection thus arm for swinging movement from a round-free position to a round-engaging position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 3;

Figs. 9 to 12, inclusive, are fragmentary views illustrating different stages of the breechward travel of the rammer upon recoil of the weapon;

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 2 and illustrating detent mechanism for actuating the releasable clutch between the rammer and the recoiling parts of the weapon;

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view through the rammer adjacent the driving member as indicated by line I l|4, Figure 3 :and showing the position of the release dogs after the rammer has been released from the tube-and-breech assembly; and

Figure 15 is a detail sectioned View of the clutch-actuating mechanism as indicated by the line i -45 of Figure 13.

Although the rammer is shown as being of a particular design and as being mounted on a weapon of a particular type, it should be understood that the rammer may be variously modified and that it may be suitab-lyad'apted for attachment to and use with weapons of other types and other calibers. Accordingly the present-disclosure should be taken as illustrative and not limiting.

The weapon chosen tor the ,pu-rposesof illustration is of the type employing a concentric recoil mechanism and comprises a cradle 20,, an outer recoil-mechanism housing :21, trunnions '22, a tube-and-breech assembly 23, and .a rearwardly extending guide structure 24. The tube-andbreech assembly includes .a tube 25,, a breech ring 2-6., and a breechblock 21. There is shown at the rear of the breech ring 216 means for supporting ammunition to be fed axially into the chamber of the weapon, which means here takes the form of a tray 23. It willbeunderstood, of course, that any suitable form of loading or feeding mechanism may be employed in conjunc'tion'with the weapon and the rammer mounted thereon, and that such mechanism -may be associated with the operation of the "rammer so that the weapon may be rendered optionally full-automatic or semiautomatic, as set forth in my copending ap pl'i'ca-tion, Serial No. 635,818, filed December 18, 1945.

In "genera-'1, the rammer is carried by the=cradle of the weapon and is disposed generally parallel to the axis of the tube-and breech assembly :and is arranged for reciprocation and rocking on its axis. The rammeresuppca'ting structure includes a main housing 29 having an elongated tubular portion 30 open at its top as at 34 :and having :at its :breechward end, that is, that end :of theportion adjacent the rear :or breech end of the :gun, provided with depending flanges 3'2 rigidly :secured to the guide structure 24 of the cradle 20 of the weapon.

As :best shown in Fig. 6 the opening 3:! in the tubular housing .30 is in the form of anelong-aited rectangle. An inner plate member 33, also of elongated rectangular shape, is arranged within the opening 31 so that the boundaries of :the .plate are spaced from the inner edges of the opening, there being thus provided a pair of longitudinally running paths or grooves 34 and 35 and apair of end spaces 36 and .31. The member 33 thus provides an island in the opening 3| and the relationship between the spaces 35 :and =3! and the grooves 3 1 and 35 is such as to provide means by which the spaces 35 and 31 cross-connect the grooves 34 and 35 respectively at their opposite ends. The structure thus described forms a cam plate for guiding the operation of the rammer, the details of which will be set forth below. The inner member 33 is retained in position in the hous' 'mg '30 by :means of a pair of cross members 38 and 39 (Figs. 1 and "2) secured by bolts to upper fiat shoulders ll on the housing. Bolts 42 rigidly secure the member 33 to the cross members 38 and 39.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the front or muzzleward end of the tubular housing 30 is threaded and receives the internally threaded end of a tubular member 33 which extends forwardly or muzzlewardly lfrom the housing 30. It will be appreciated that because of the length of the longitudinally extending parts the drawings have illustrated these parts with portions thereof broken away, The part 43, for example, should be considered as extending a substantial distance forwardly from the housing 30. The same consideration should be borne in mind with respect to other parts of the rammer to be presently described. y

The tubular housing .3!) is provided at opposite ends with hearing portions in which are respectively supported the opposite ends of a longitudinal, rotatable member or sleeve 44, a detail of which appears in Fig. :5. This sleeve is provided with a longitudinally spiraling slot or helical track A55 tor a purpose to presently appear. 7

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the tubular housing .30 is provided at its opposite ends with internal bearings or bushings, 46 at the rearward end and 4! at the forward end, which carry a longitudinally extending rammer member in the form of tubular shaft 48. This member is carried by the housing 30 through the medium of the bushings 4 6 and 4'! for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and .coun-terrecoil and is also arranged for rocking movement about its axis. A bracket 49 is rigidly secured as by cap screws '50 to the breech ring 2 6. As will hereinafter be more fully set forth, the bracket 49 serves as :a driving connection between the recoiling tubeand-breech assembly and the tubular rammer shaft es. The bracket extends laterally toward the shaft 4-5 and has formed therein a circular opening 5| through which the tubular shaft 48 passes. As best shown in Fig. .14, the opening .51 is enlarged at diametrically opposed portions thereof to provide .slots .5l-a. These slots are angularly offset (herein 45) from a horizontal plane passed through the diameter of the opening 5| and are so arranged as to functionin connection with the clutch =or release mechanism to be hereinafter zclescribed.

At its breechward end the shaft 48 is provided with means adapted to be engaged by the driving member .or .plate :43 so that upon recoil .of the weapon the tube-and-breech assembly serves to drive the rammer breechwardly that is, .in the direction of the recoil of the gun from battery position. As best shown in Fig. 3, the rammer head, designated generally by the numeral 52. comprises a flanged member 53 carried externally at the end of the tubular member 48 and having secured thereto a second flanged member 54 provided with a sleeve 55 surrounding the tubular member 48. The breechward end of the tubular member is receives a securin means in the form of a hollow member .56 herein indicated as being pressed into the end of the tubular .member which also forces it against the flanged member 53 thereby securing the members 48, 53 and 56 ata'a oee as'a unitary unit. The outer surface of the sleeve 55 of the flanged member 54 has slidably mounted thereon a sleeved member 51 formed with an outer radial face 58 that forms a buffer surface adapted to be engaged by the rearward radial face of the driving member 49. Buffer means in the form of a coil spring 59 is interposed between the members 51 and 54 and serves as a means by which the member 58 may be moved axially breechwardly of the tubular shaft 48 against the resiliency of the spring. An external sleeve 60 is internally threaded and fits on an outer, externally threaded annular flange 6| of the member '54. The member 60 includes at its other end an inwardly directed annular flange 82 cooperable with an outwardly directed annular flange 63,011 the member 57 to provide means for preventing axial separation of the parts of the rammer head assembly 52 upon extension of the buffer spring 59. The arrangement of the parts in the rammer head is such that the spring 59 serves as a buffer for absorbing the shock of initial impact occurring when the driving member 49 meets the rammer head upon initial movement of the tubeand-breech assembly in recoil.

As best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 the tubular member or shaft 48 extends a considerable distance axially forwardly of the tubular housing 38 and passes through the tubular member 43; The front end of the tubular shaft 48 is provided with a buffer 64, which may be constructed according to the buffer structure in the rammer head 52. Driving means in the form of a coil spring 65 surrounds the tubular member 48 and is interposed between the buffer 64 and a thrust member 66 carried at the forward end of the tubular housing 38 adjacent the bushing 41. The spring 65 is compressed when the tubular shaft 48 is moved axially breechwardly upon recoil of the weapon and serves as driving means for returning the tubular shaft 48 axially forwardly or muzzlewardly. The rearward or breechward end of the tubular shaft 48 carries thereon for rocking movement therewith a rammer arm 61, which may be suitably formed as part of the rammer head '52, preferably being an extension of the flanged member 53 of the rammer head 52.

As previously stated, the shaft 48 is mounted fo rocking in addition to reciprocation in and with respect to the support or housing 30. The combination of movement obtained by this mounting provides for a four-phase movement or function of the shaft 48 and rammer arm 61 so that upon recoil of the weapon the parts 48 and 6'! may move from an initial position in the direction of recoil, then be rocked about the axis of the tubular member 48, next be moved in the direction of counterrecoil, and finally rocked reversely about the axis of the tubular member 48 to initial position. The arrangement is such that when the weapon has been loaded and is ready for firing the parts are in the positions shown in Figs. 1 to 4 with the rammer head forward and with the rammer arm 61 disposed in an upper or round-free position. This latter position is illustrated by the upper broken lines in Fig. 7. It is desirable that the rammer arm 61 be maintained in its upper position during the recoil stroke of the weapon and during the travel of the tubular shaft 48 in the direction of recoil, for the reason that the arm 61 must be disposed in a position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly so that it does not interfere with the extraction and ejection of the empty cartridge case of the previouslypfired 4 6 rbund-.-:- when the'parts 4'sand 61 have reached thelir'nit'of their travel in the direction of recoil it isde'sirable that the arm B'lswing down wardly''herein through a range of 45--'fromits" round-freeposition to a position in which it may engage around of ammunition on the tray 28 (or on the corresponding part of any other suitable feeding mechanism). This position of the arm 6l -isshown in the lower brokenlines in Fig. 7. It-is further desirable' that the arm 61 be maintained in its round-engagin position during travel of the rammer parts forwardly-or in'the direction of counterrecoil, which movement occurs afterithe Weapon has returned to battery. Bythis arrangementthe rammer arm 81 maintainsconstant contact with the round throughout the ramming stroke 50 that the' round-is positively fed ino the chamber of the weapon. At the completion of the movement of the rammer parts in the direction of counterrecoil and after completion of r the ramming of the round, the

movement of the parts is such that the rammer arm 6'! moves again to round-free position, or the upper position as indicated in Fig. 7.

As will presently appear, the total movement of the rammer arm- 81. through its range of 45 when it reaches its rearwardmost .position -is divided intotwo. minor ranges of 22 /2 each, in which case the arm temporarily occupies ahalfwayposition as shown in full lines in Fig. '7.

Asstatedpreviouslyit is one. of the important objectsof the present inventionto provide-means for. accomplishing the four-phase movement of the tubular member and rammer armthrough its rearward and forward reciprocating phases and its counterclockwise and clockwise rocking phases. As will appear below this movement. is accomplished ina simple and positive manner andwithout resort to separately powered driving means.

Theforward end of the tubular member 48 carries slidably therein a cylindrical .block 68, as best shown in Fig, 4. Diametrically opposed wall portionsof the member '48 are cut out to. provide a pair of diametrically opposed, longitudinally extendingslots 69. A pin 10 is disposed substantially vertically within and is rigidly secured to thesli-ding block 88, with the lower end of the pin extending into the'lower slot 69 and the upper end of the pin passin through the upper slot .69 and extending upwardly into the fourphase groove or track formed by the opening 3| and the island 33 in the tubular housing 38. Becausev of the cooperation between the 'pin 10 andrthe slot 89 axial movement of the block 68 withrespect to the tubular member 48 is limited by-the extent of the slots. For the purposes of the following description, the pin 18 may be consideredas being mounted rigidly in the tubular member 48.

When the weapon recoils and the tubular mem-v ber 48 is moved breechwardly the pin E8 travels along thegroove or track 34 until it reaches the space 36 at the breechward end of the island 33. At thispoint the tubular member is latched in its breechward position and the tube-and-breech assembly may return to battery independently of return of the rammer. For the purposes ofthe present disclosure the means for latching or looking the rammer in its breechward position .is illustrated-as a spring-pressed latch member H pivotedon atransverse pivot 13 on a pair ofupsv standing ears 12, carried by the breechward end ofthe island '33. I .The breechward portion of the latch-1 member .lLis cut 1.01111 to form. a notch 14 sheaths ilFig. ,2) and the opnosite end r the latch extends forwardly of the pivot 1-3 to he eng ed aby a plunger of la ch actuatin mechanism herein ind cated as a solenoid 16- .It w ll lie-un rstood, of c urse, that any suitable means may be milized for actua ng the .latch H. when the pin 10 compl es its traverse of roove sec ion 3 and arrives at space 36 .as the Jrammer tube 48 completes its breech-ward or rearward translation, tube 4:8, arm 6] and pin 10 are rocked .coiln terclockwise under the surge of spring 83, in a manner ;,subse qu ently described, until :pin Ill eneases within notch 74 and sis-thus heldin retracted position by latch l1. Ala-this time the rammerxwill have rocked 122 /2 in a counterclockwise direction and the rammer arm .61 occupy the line position as shown in Fig. 7. Then, when the latch is released from .pi-n m, by 'energization of solenoid J16, the :pin fill completes its travel across the space 3.6 until it reaches the opposite side of .the opening ;3 i in :the housing .30, and .the ram-.- mer arm l3] will move .to the lowermost dotted linelposiztion of Fig.1! where it mayengagea fresh round of ammunition in position to be rammed into the breech. The driving spring 265 will then 2 return the tubular member 4.8 :in the direction .of counterrecoil, with the pin to following the longi-- tudinal groove .or track 3.5, at the .end .of which movement the pin passes into .thespace 3:1 and is returned :to its initial position by the spring :83 which is now tensioned in the .oppositesense, as subsequently described. Transverse movement of the pin :10 across the :spacesBB and v31 is-efiected by torsion spring rmechanim set forth immediately :below.

An important aspect of the invention consists in the :means for combining the action of recoil andthe actionof thedriving-spring 6'5 in-counterrecoil to rock the tubular member '48 so that the rammer arm 5'1 assumes the desired positions during the travel of the rammer parts as guided by the .fourephase cam means (provided'by theopehing 3:! and island "33:).

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 8, the rearward portion of the sleeve A4 at its lower side is slotted as at 1:1 to receive a downwardly extending key or driving lug 'T-he rear-ward end of the housing :36 is provided with an external cylindrical bearing surface 19 which rotata bly carries a collar 80. best ,shown in Fig. *8, the collar 80 is slotted at its lower side and is provided with a pair of depending ears BI "between which the keyor lug 18 is fixed. The lower portion of this endof the housing '86 is also cut out atthis point to provide a space a through which the key or lug -l8 extends and'in which "it may'operate. A cap screw 82 passes through the cars 81 and key 18 and secures the collar or-sleeve80 for ro tation or rocking with the elongated sleeve 44 about its axis in the tubular housing 30. Energystoring means in the form of ayieldable element such as a torsion spring 83 is carried 'by and encircles the collar 80, the spring being located reanwardly of the key Wand-ears 81. "Thee/char 80 is provided at its periphery with 'a radially outwardly directed log 84 which carries-alongitudinallyextending driving pin--85. Asecond lug 86 :is -.formed integrally with or otherwise rigidly carried by :the rear end portion of the tubular housing .30. This Jug is located just forwardly of the 111g :84 and extends laterally outwardly beyondvtheslatter. The -lug 86 .carries astop pin 8' paralleling the driving pinz85. As best shown in '8, opposite end portionso'f theztorsion spring 83 are?indicated;at:88:and 89. The end 885s fluent 8 outwardly and extends "beyond and is eneag able with the upper surfaces of the driving pin 3.5 rand-{stop pin 181; the end 8.9 is bent outwardly and extends beyond and is engageable with the under .or' "lower surfaces .of the driving pin 85 and the stop .pin 8'].

.As stated above, the elongated sleeve 44 is provided with the spiral or helical slot .145. As best shown in Fig. 4, slot is engaged by the pin 10. when :the rammer moves in the direction of recoil, the pin Til, traveling .down the longitudinal groove or track 34 between the housing '30 and island .33, serves to rock the .sleeve 44' in a clockwise direction (as viewed from the breech end of the weapon). Upon this rocking or rotation of the sleeve 44 the torsion spring 83 is loaded'because of the interaction between the driving key 1-8, collar 89, and pins 85 and 81. Stated otherwise, as the sleeve 44 is rocked, the collar is rotated clock-wise, as shown in Fig.3, and the driving pin through contact with the spring end 89 imparts a twist to the torsion spring 83, the other spring end 438 being held by the stop pin 81011 the lug 26. Consequently, when the rammer reaches the limit of its travel in the direction of recoil, the pin to reaches the end of the island 33 and at that point is no longer restrained against the reaction of the now ten'sioned spring 88, with the result that the spring, through the spring 80, key 18 and sleeve 44, reacts to rock the rammer in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from the breech end of the weapon). As the pin 70 moves across the breechward end of the island 33 across space ;36, it is engaged and stopped by the cutout portion H- of the latch H, and rocking of the rammer is limited temporarily to 22 (intermediate position, Fig. 7'). After the latch '11 is released, the pin 10 continues its movement across the space 36 and the rammer rocks throughan additional 22 A" (lower position, Fig. '7) The pin '10 at this point clears the rear end of the island 35 and the driving spring 65 serves to return the rammer member in the direction of counterrecoil. During this movement the pin .76, traveling reversely in the track 3'5 and slot 45 of the sleeve 44, will rock the sleeve .49 to reload or retension the spring meansG'S. I this instance the sleeve 44 is rocked in .a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from the breech end .of the gun.) and the driving pin 85 on the collar ddengages the springendBB while thestop pin flfirestrains the spring endy89. When the pin "ill reaches theforward end of the island 33 the spring .83 reacts through the sleeve :44 and the pin 16 to rockthe tubular member-48 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 8, through 45, thus moving the rammer arm 57 from its round-engaging p ition o its initial round-fre p sition v(oth position, Fig. 7).

As stated earlier herein, it isan impdrllhntobject of the invention to provide means' iorcon trolling the initial movement of the ramme'r in the direction of recoil so that therammer upon initial impact of the reooiling parts does hot move rearwarclly with such force as ,to .cause damage to the reindeer and its associated .Parts. In the present instance, this means preferably takes the'form of a releasable connectionbetween the tube-and-breech assembly and the rammer, which means includes a-releasable lock or clutch operable in response to a predetermined phase of the recoil strokeat which time :the rammer is released from the recoiling tube-and-breech assemblyso that therammermay continue a short distance further in the-direction of recoil and so that, as the rammer is latched in this position by the latch II, the tube-and-breech assembly may return to battery. In the following description of this releasable latch or clutch means, referenceis had to Figs. 3, 4, and 9 to 14.

The breechward end of the tubular member 48 is provided with an internally threaded cylindrical plug 99 which receives an externally threaded bushing 9I having a cylindrical sleeve bored internally to provide an axial bearing for a control member in the form of a longitudinally extending rod 92. The forward end of the rod is threaded into the slidable block 68, previously described (see Fig. 4). The breechward end of the rod 92 rigidly carries a head member 93 with which is integrally formed an axially directed, intermediate extension member 94 terminating at its breechward end in a head 95-. Yieldable means, preferably in the form of a tension spring 96, is connected at one end to the head 95 of the extension 94 and at its other end to a transverse pin 91 carried by the locking nut 56 of the rammer head assembly 52. The spring 96 is normally tensioned to act through the extension 94 and the rod 92 to urge the sliding block 68 axially rearwardly or breechwardly so that the pin I is maintained in its rearward position in the slots 69 in the tubular member 48.

The bushing 9| is provided with a radial flange formed with an annular recess that cooperates with the rear face of the cylindrical plug 90 to form anchor means 93 for a pair of radially movable latch members or clutch dogs 99 terminating spring members 99. The tubular member 48 is provided with a pair of diametrically.op-' posed openings I99 disposed just forwardly of the driving plate 49 and through which the clutch dogs 99 normally extend. As best shown in Fig. 3 the members or dogs 99 provide an obstruction to the passage of the rammer member 48 through the opening 5I in the driving member .49. The axial extension 94 carries for axial sliding there-, on a collar I9I. This collar is of the same diameter as the head 93 on the rod 92 and has sliding movement on the extension 94 limited by the head members 93 and 95. The function of the collar NH and the related parts will be brought out in greater detail below. I

A component part of the releasable means or clutch mechanism is the means for temporarily retarding breechward travel of the pin I9 so that it is shifted forwardly or muzzlewardly in the slots 69 in the rammer member 48. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 13 this operating means is mounted in an upwardly directed extension I02 formed integral with the supporting structure 29 on the outside of the tubular housing 30. The supporting extension I 02 isprovided with a transverse bore in which is carried the sleeve portion of a mounting member I93 which is non-rotatably secured to the extension by means of bolts I94 passed through a flanged portion thereof.

The sleeve on the member I93 carriesin its bore a bushing for rotatably mounting a transverse shaft I95. This shaft has keyed thereto at its inner end an operating member in the form of a detent lever I95. The outer end of the shaft I05 has keyed thereto a locking member I01. A torsion spring I98 encircles the shaft I95 and has one end in driving engagement with the member i9? and its other end locked against a pin I99 forming part of a spring-pressed detent H0. The action of the spring in the detent is such as to urge the head of the detent IIO out-- Wardly of its housing I02 or into the path of an upper arm I II on the detent lever I06. Alowerarm I I2 on the lever I96 is directed downwardly and extends into the longitudinal groove or track 34 formed by the opening 3I and island33 in the tubular :housing 39. The-arm H2 is thus disposed in the path of the pin 19 as it proceeds down the groove or track 34 The tension of the spring I98 on the lever I96 is suflicient to cause a temporary obstruction to the travel ofthe pin I9, so that the pin is caused to move to the forward end of slot 69 in the rammer member48, thus resulting in operation of the clutch or release means 92-!0I. p

In the following description of the operation of the weapon and rammer, it will be assumed that the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is such that the Weapon is loadedand ready for firing. After the'weapon is fired, the tube-andbreech assembly recoils and by meansof the driving plate 49 carries with it the rammer assembly and its component parts. Duringthe travel of the rammer in the direction of recoil, the rammer arm 61 is maintained in its upper or round-free position and is thus out of'the path of an extracted and-ejected-empty cartridge case. The .clutch dogs 99 are in the positions illustrated in Fig. 3, being maintained in that position, by the head member 93 on the rod 92, the action ofthe spring 96 being such as to draw the-parts 92 and 94rearwardly so that the pin 10 is in its rearward position in the slots 69 in the rammer member 48 as shown in Fig. 4. Thus the rammer is in eifect temporarily directly connected to the tube-and-breech assembly through the driving member 49. This connection is desirablebecause of the tremendous. force delivered bythe recoiling'parts during-initial travel thereof. For example, if the releasable clutch mechanism 92- IOI had beenomitted andthe only connec-; tion between the rammer and the 'tube-andbreechassembly wasthe driving member 49 and rammer head 52,: the impact of the recoiling parts on-the rammer head'52 would be OfiSuCh magm tude as to drive the rammer assembly rearwardly with such force as to cause virtual destruction thereof. v I

For the purposes of the present description reference will be had to specific distances in the various phases of travel of the recoiling parts and-different phases of the recoil stroke. It will be understood; of course, that it is not'intended to limit the present invention by reference to thesedescriptivedistances. a t

In the typeof weapon illustrated herein, the; tube-and-breech assembly recoils approximately twenty inches. 4 It has been found that during the first four inches of the recoil stroke tremendousw forces are set up. It is also during this period Strokethe rammer assembly be released from the driving member 49. This is especially truein the-presentinstance where the rammer is de-. signed to travel breechwardly a distance somewhat greater than the distance traveled by the recoiling parts of the weapon. For example, thepresent .case the arrangement is such that the rammer head, when released from the driving member 49, travels an additional three inches. This additional travel is desired in the present case-for the purposes of enabling the'rammer arm tomqve sufficiently. rearwardly to engage the next round of ammunition. During this phase of movement of the rammer, the springpressed latch H operates to retain the pin F9 on the rammer member 48 so that the rammer member rocks only half its distance and is thus retained in breechward position. Since the rammer member rocks only half its full distance, theround-engaging arm 6! moves from its roundfree or upper position to the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 7. When the solenoid T6 is energized by a manual or automatic means, not shown, the latch H is raised allowing thetorsionspring 83 to complete the rocking movement of the rammer member 48, whereupon the arm 61 moves to round-engaging position and engages a round and the driving spring 65- returns the rammer assembly forwardly, with the pin 18 traveling up the groove or track 35 until it reaches the opposite end of the island 33, at which time the reverse reaction of the torsion spring 93" causes reverse rocking of the rammer member 48 so-that the pin- 10 travels across the space 31' into its initialposition. During this phase of the operation the round has of course been loadedinto the chamber of the breech 2 6 Reference is had now to Figs. 3 and 9* to 12-. Figs. 3 and 9 illustrate the positions of theparts when the gun is inbattery and readyfor firing. Figs; 9 to 12 illustrate different stages in the travelof the rammer assembly in the direction or recoil. In each of these figures the axial extent ofthe parts is interrupted and the break is indicated by dot-dash lines; The illustration in eachcase is such that the forward or muzzlewa-rd portions of the rammer that cooperate with the .z:

breechward portions thereof are brought into the same view and intermediate portions are omitted. Reference points to which the rammer parts may be related for purposesof identification in the following description are the driving member. i

of Fig. 13 and which, as alreadyexplained, is F disposed through the groove 34 and into the path. ofthe pin T!) as it proceeds down the groove 34. In Fig. 11, the rammer head has movedapproximately twenty inches rearwardly (or tothe left.

ml or ofand away from the housing 38' as viewed in the drawing). Simultaneously, the pin 18 has moved the same distance rearwardly and closer to the arm "-2. Because of the. limited. space. available, the" housing 39 has not been shown in Figs. 10- and 11, but reference may be had to the complete viewin Fig. 2. In Fig- 12,. the rammer head has moved approximately twenty-three inches rearwardly or tothe left of and away from the rear end of the housing andfthe pin Til has moved a corresponding distance rearwardly, having tripped and passed the arm H23. In this figure, the housing 30" is again shown in the drawings (to the right of the break-lines) in order that the relationship between the pin 1-0 and the rear end of the opening 3| in the housing may be illustrated;

When the gun is fired and the tube-and-breech assembly recoils, the driving member 49' moves rearwardly against the rammer'head 5-2. Because of its inherent inertia the. rammerassembly tends to remain stationary and the buffer spring 59 in the rammer head is compressed (Fig. 10). How-- ever, the spring 59 quickly reacts after absorbing the initial shock of recoil, and continued breechward movement of the driving member 49 operates to drive the rammer member 48 rearwardly. However, the parts 92, 93, 94, 95 and lfll, because of the inherent inertia therein, continue their tendency to remain stationary, with the result that the rod 92 and its associated parts lag behind the rammer member 48, causing tensioning of the spring 98 and causing relative movement of the pin 78- to the forward ends of the slots 69 in the rammer member 48 (Fig. 10). When this action takes place, the collar l8lon the extension 94 of the rod 92 is moved quickly into the place formerly occupied by the head member 93 so that the collar now maintains the clutch dogs 99 in their extended positions (Fig. 103-. This action occurs with such speed that the collar HJI has no opportunity to slide axially on the extension 94.

The spring 96 quickly reacts and draws the rod 92' again rearwardly, moving the head member 93' again in position to maintain the clutch dogs 99- in their extended positions. The temporary substitution of the collar IM for the head member 93 as means to keep the dogs 99 in position is required for the purpose of preventing premature release of the rammer 48 from the driving member 49. Simultaneously, the sliding block 58 and pin 18 are moved rearwardly so that the pin 18 again rests against the rearward ends of the slot 69 in the member 48, the parts occupying the same relative positions as those illustrated in Fig. 9. The tube-and-breech assembly has now traveled substantially through its complete range of movement and at this time has lost a substantial portion of its momentum and velocity.

1 Also, the pin 18, traveling down its track or groove 34, is approaching the depending arm M 2 on the detent lever I96. When the pin 10 engages the arm H2 (Fig. 11) the action is such that the travel of the pin H1 is temporarily interrupted,

.. the tension on the torsion spring I88 (Fig. 113*) being such that in effect the pin 19 is moved forwardly in its slots 69 relative to the member 48 and with respect to the other parts of the rammer assembly. Since the pin 16 is carried by the block 68, which is in turn connected to the rod 92, the rod 92 will now be drawn forwardly against action of the spring 96 and the head member 93 will be drawn out of position with respect" to the clutch dogs 99 so that the latter are retracted radially inwardly of the member 48 by its spring arm 99 and into the space now created between the head member 93 and the sliding collar llll on the extension 94 (Fig. 11).

Since the clutch dogs no longer extend radiallyoutwardly through the openings I in the tubular' member 48, there is no longer any obstruction to the travel of the rammer member 48 through the opening 5| in the driving member 49, with the result that the rammer is free to move breechwardly and beyond the driving mem- 49' and the tube-and-breech assembly is freed from the rammer so that it may return to battery without the rammer. As previously described, the opening 5| in the driving member 49 is provided with the diametrically opposed. slots 61d (see Fig. 14). These slots 5la. are, as stated, angularly offset 45 from a horizontal plane passed through the aXis of the rammer assembly. The normal travel of the rammer assembly is such that the clutch dogs 99 are disposed in this horizontal plane. The latch H (Fig. 2) traps the pin 10 after the first 22 of rocking of the rammer member 48 and when the solenoid 16 is energized by any suitable means, not shown, to release the latch 1| the rammer completes its rocking in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from the breech end of the weapon) and may then be driven forwardly by the spring 65.. When the rammer completes its rocking phase of 45 prior to moving forwardly, the clutch dogs 99, in their positions of extension through the openings I in the member 48, become aligned with the slots 5la so that they may pass freely through the slots to the muzzle side of driving member 69 upon completion of the stroke of the rammer in the direction of counterrecoil. At the end of the forward stroke of the rammer member 48, the pin clears the forward end of the island 33 and the rammer is reversely rocked, by action of spring 83, through a single continuous phase of 45 to its original position.

Although the foregoing description has proceeded in stages and successive steps in the operation of the rammer have been set forth, it will be appreciated that the operation is actually a smooth, continuous and rapid series of functions that occur as a result of the tremendous speed of the recoiling tube-and-breech assembly. It will be noted that the design and construction is such that the moving parts are adequately supported and freely movable in requisite bearings and that the shocks of impact and other stresses are adequately absorbed by the buffers in the units 52 and 64. The entire arrangement is such that the foregoing objects are readily and efiiciently achieved. Other objects and features of the invention will undoubtedly appear to those skilled in the art. It will be understood, of course, that the disclosure herein is of a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: g

1. A rammer for a sun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer member-carried by said support for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoiland arranged for rocking about its axis with respect to said support, means adjacent the breechward end of and connected tog said rammer member for engaging a round of ammunition and adapted upon rocking and reverse rocking of said rammer member to be moved alternately inwardly from a round-free position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube and-breech assembly to a round-engaging position near the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly, cam means carried by said support, said, cam meansghaving a first groove running parallel to the direction of recoil, a second groove at the breechward end of and running normal to said first groove and: in the:

114 third groove connectingsaid second groove and running generally parallel to said first groove and to the direction of counterrecoil, and a fourth groove running in the direction of reverse rocking of said rammer member and normal to and connecting the muzzleward'ends of said first and third grooves, means operatively associated between said cam means and said rammer member and including a cam follower for guiding said rammer member during reciprocation and rocking thereof, means for moving said rammer member in the direction of recoil with said cam follower following the aforesaid first groove, spring meansfor rocking said rammer member with said cam follower following said second groove whereby said round-engaging means is moved to its aforesaid round-engaging position, means for moving said rammer member in the direction of counterrecoil with said cam follower following said third groove in said cam means, said spring means rocking said rammer member reversely with said cam follower following said fourth groove for returning said round-engaging and counterrecoil, a rammer'member carried by said support for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and arranged for rocking about its axis with respect to said support, means adjacent the breechward end of and connected to said rammer member for engaging a round of ammunition and adapted upon rocking and, reverse rocking of 'said rammer member to be moved alternately inwardly from a round-free position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a round-engaging position near the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly, cam means comprising means forming a generally rectangular cam groove carried by said support, said cam groove having two opposed portions arranged parallel to the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and its other two'opposed portions disposed normalto said first portions and in the directions of rocking and reverse rocking of said rammer member, follower means connected with said rammer member and engaging said groove for guiding said rammer member during reciprocation and rocking thereof, means for reciprocating said rammer member in response to recoil and counterrecoil of the gun, to cause said follower means to traverse the aforesaid first two portions, and means for rocking and reversely rocking said rammer member with said follower means when the latter arrives at the respective aforesaid second portions, whereby said rammer member is moved first in the direction of recoil, is then rocked to dispose the round-engaging means in its aforesaid roundengaging position, is then movedin the direction of counterrecoil with the round engaging means fixed against rocking, and is finally rocked reversely to return said round-engaging means to its aforesaid round-free position.

3. A rammer for a gunhaving a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer member carried by said support for. reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and arranged for rock-. ing about its axis with respect to the support, a

pin member fixed to said rammer member, means adjacent the breechwardend of and connected to said rammer member for engaging a round of ammunition and adapted upon rocking and; re verse rocking of said rammer member to be moved alternately inwardly from a round-free position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-andbreech assembly to a round-engaging position near the axis of the tube-and -breach assembly, means for moving said rammer member in the direction of recoil, means engaging the pin member for temporarily restraining said rammer member against rocking to maintain said roundengaging means inround-iree position substantially throughout the stroke of said rammer member in the direction of recoil, yield'able means, means including said pinmember and connecting said spring means and said rammer member for loading said spring means by and in response to the stroke of said rammer member in the direction of recoil, means for releasing said pin member and thereby said rammer member at the end of its recoil stroke for rocking under the urge of said yieldable means to rocksaid rammer member for moving said round-engaging means to round-engaging position, and means for moving said rammer member in the direction of counterrecoil whereby said connecting means-is operated to reversely load said spring means to return said round-engaging means to round-free position.

4; A rammer for a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer member carried by said support for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counter-recoil and arranged for rocking about its axis with respect to said support, means adjacent the breechward end of and connected to said rammer member for engaging a round of ammunition and adapted upon rocking and reverse rocking of said rammer member to be moved alternately inwardly from a roundfree: position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a round-engagposition near the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly, cam means carried by said support and having -a first groove running parallel to the direction of recoil, a second groove at the breechward end of and running normal to said. firstgroove and in the direction of rocking of said rammer member, a third groove connecting said second groove and running generally parallel to said first groove and to the direction of counterrecoil, and a fourth groove runningin the direction of reverse rocking of the rammer member and normal to and connecting the muzzleward ends of said first and third grooves, cam follower means connected with said rammer member adapted to traverse said grooves in succession to guide said rammer member during reciprocation and rocking thereof, means responsive to recoil. of the gun for moving said rammer member in the direction of recoil with said cam follower fol,- lowi'ng the aforesaid first groove, resilient means,. a rotatableelement connected between said rammer member and. said resilient means and rotatable by conjoint action of said rammer member, cam follower means and first cam groove during recoil stroke of said rammer member for loading said resilient means, said resilient means reacting when said cam follower reaches said second groove in said cam means to rock said rammer member and follower means and move said round-engaging means to round-engaging position, and means for moving said rammer member in the direction of counter-recoil, said resilient I6 means reacting when said cam follower reaches said fourth groove to: rock said rammermember reversely and move said round-engaging means to round-free position.

5; A rammer for a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil.

and counterrecoil, a rammer member carried by said support. for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterreco-il and arranged for rocking about its axis with respect to said support, a pin member fixed to said rammer member, means adjacent the breechward end of and connected to said rammer member for engaging a round of ammunition and adapted upon rocking and reverse rocking of said'rammer member to be moved alternately inwardly from a roundfree position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a round-engaging position near the axis of the tube-andbreech assembly, means for moving said rammer member in the direction of recoil, means engaging the pin member for temporarily restraining said rammer member against rocking to maintain said round-engaging means in round-free position during the recoil stroke of said rammer member, spring means", means connecting said spring means and said rammer member including cam means operable to. load said spring means during the stroke of said rammer member in the direction of recoil, means for releasing said pin member and thereby said rammer member at the end of its said stroke for reaction of said spring means to rock said rammer member" for moving said round-engaging means to round-engaging position, and means for moving said rammer member in the direction of counterrecoi'l whereby at the end of said movement the said spring means will rock said rammer member reversely to return said round-engaging means to round-free position.

6. A rammer for a gun having a tube-and.- breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer member carried by said support for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and arranged for rocking about its axis with respect to said support,.means adjacent the breechward end of and connected to said rammer member for engaging a round of ammunition and adapted upon rocking and reverse rocking of said. rammer member to be moved alternately inwardly from a roundfree position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a round-engaging position near the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly, cam means carried by said support and having a first groove running parallel to the direction of recoil, a second groove at the breechward end of and running normal to said first groove and in the direction of rocking of said rammer member, a third groove connecting said second groove and running generally parallel to the first groove and tothe direction of counterrecoil, and a fourth groove running in the direction of reverse rocking of said rammer member and normal toand connecting the muzzleward ends of said first and third grooves, cam follower means operatively associated between said cam means and said rammer member for guiding said rammer member during reciprocation and rocking thereof, a sleeve surrounding said rammer member and arranged for at least limited rotation with respect to said rammer member and support, means forming ahelicai seat in said sleeve, said cam follower means engaging said cam follower means reaches said second groove" so that said round-engaging means is moved to round-engaging position, means for moving said rammer member in the direction of counterrecoil with said cam follower means following said third groove and rotating said sleeve reversely by means of said helical slot to again tension said spring means for reaction to rock said rammer member reversely when said cam follower means reaches said fourth groove so that said round-engaging means is returned to round-free position.

7. A rammer for a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer member carried by said support for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and arranged for rocking about its axis with respect to said support, means adjacent the breechward end of and connected to said rammer member for engaging a round of ammunition and adapted upon rocking and reverse rocking of said rammer member to be moved alternately inwardly from a round-free position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly, to a round-engaging position near the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly, a sleeve surrounding said rammer mem ber and arranged for at least limited rotation with respect to said rammer member and said support, there being a helical slot in said sleeve, follower means carried b said rammer member and engaging said helical slot, spring means connected at one end to said support and at its other end to said sleeve, means responsive to recoil of the gun for moving said rammer member in the direction of recoil with said follower means thereon rotating said sleeve to tension saidspring means in one direction, means associated with said follower means for temporarily restraining position at the end of movement of said rammer member in counterrecoil.

8. A rammer for a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer member carried by said support for reciprocation in the direct-ions of recoil and counterrecoil, means positively but releasably connecting said tube-and-breech assembly and said rammer member for moving said rammer member breechwardly as a unit with and in response to recoil of the tube-and-breech assembly, means responsive to a predetermined distance of travel in recoil of said tube-and-breech' assembly for releasing said connecting means-to free the tube-and-breech. assembly from I said rammer member so that-the former may return 18;: in counterrecoil withoutthe latter, and means for subsequently moving said rammer member in the direction of counterrecoil.

9 A rammer for a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counter-- recoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer member'carried-bysaid support for reciprocation in the directions of" recoil and counterrecoil and arranged to travel in the direction of recoil through a distance greater than the distance traveled by. the tube-and.

breech assembly during recoil, means positively but releasably connecting said tube-and-breech 1 assembly and said rammer member for moving said rammer member'breechwardly upon recoil asa unit with said tube and-breech assembly,

means operable afterthe attainmentby the tube-' and-breech assembly of a predetermined distance of travel in its recoil stroke for releasing said connection to'free saidrammer member fromthe' tube-and-breech assembly sothatsaid rammermember may continue its breechward travel and 501 that the tube-antl breech assembly ma'y re turn in counterrecoi1without'said'rammer mem'-- ber, and means for subsequently moving said? rammer member in the direction of counter-' recoil.

10. A rammer for a gun havin'g'a tube-and- I breech assembly arranged for recoil'and counter recoil, comprisin a support fixed against recoiland counterrecoil, a rammer membercarried by said support for reciprocation in the directions 1? of recoil and counterrecoil, said rammer member being mounted so-thatits 'reciprooatory travel is through greater linear distances thanthe movement of the tube-and' -breech assembly in recoilf and counterrecoil, a driving'member connected to the tube-and-bree'ch assembly, means between said rammermember and the breechward side of" said driving member and'engageable by said driving' memberupon recoil of the tube-and-breech' assembly to drive said rammer member in the direction ofi recoil, releasable means between said rammermemberand theother side of said driving member and normally arranged to engage said driving member so that said rammer'memreleasable means to free said rammer memberfor further travel in the direction of recoil.

11. A rammer for a 'gun'having a tube-and breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support, rammer means including a tubular member mounted onsaid 'support for reciprocation inthe directions of recoil and counterrecoil, a-driving member connectedto the tube-and-breech assembly and includinga portion forming an opening through which said tubular member passes, releasable means between said driving member and said tubular member including a disengageable lock carried within said tubular-member and arranged to extend out-'- side thereof for normally engaging said driving-- member to prevent passage of said tubular member through said opening in said driving member y so that said tubular member is releasably con-' 19 said tubular member and the tube-and' breech assembly in recoil, and means contained at least partially within said tubular member and connected between said lock and one of said afore said elements.

12. A rammer for a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support, rammer means including a tubular member mounted on said support for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil, a driving plate connected to the tube-and-breech assembly and having an opening through which said tubular member passes, there being a plurality of openings in the Wall of said tubular member in the vicinity of said driving plate, a plurality of movable lock members contained within said tubular member, means mounting said lock members in positions to extend respectively through said openings in the tubular member for engagement with the forward side of said driving plate so that said tubular member and driving plate recoil as a unit upon recoil of the tube-and-breech assembly, head means within said tubular member and operable in one position to maintain said lock members in positions extended through said openings, and means responsive to a predetermined position in recoilof said tubular member to move said head means to a second position to permit inward movement of said lock members to thereby release said tubular member from said driving plate.

13. A rammer for a gun havin a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer member carried by said support for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and for rocking about its axis, means connected to said rammer memher for engaging a round of ammunition and adapted upon rocking and reverse rocking of said rammer member to move alternately between a round-free position and a round-engaging position, a pair of cam elements carried respectively by said support and rammer member, one of said elements comprising a, cam follower and the other comprising a cam means having a configuration to guide the rammer member in sequential movement of reciprocation in the direction of recoil, then rocking to move the round-engaging means to round-engaging position, next reciprocation in the direction of counterrecoil and finally reverse rocking to move said round-engaging means to round-free position, means including a releasable connection between said rammer member and the tube-and-breech assembly and normally positioned so that said rammer member and the tube-and-breech assembly move together upon recoil, and means for releasing said releasable connection to free said rammer member from the tube-and-breech assembly and including a connection between said releasable means and one of the aforesaid cam elements.

14. A rammer for a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, rammer means including a tubular member carried by said support for reciprocation along its axis in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and arranged for rocking about its axis with respect to said support, means connected to said rammer means for engaging a round of ammunition and movable alternately inwardly from a round-free position spaced out- 20, wardly from the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a round-engaging position near the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly upon rocking and reverse rocking of the tubular member,

cam means carried by said support and having a first groove running parallel to the direction of recoil, there being a, second groove at the breechward end of and running normal to said first groove and in the direction of rocking of the tubular member, a third groove connecting said second groove and running parallel to the first groove and to the direction of counterrecoil, and a fourth groove running in the direction of reverse rocking of the rammer member and normal to and connecting the muzzleward ends of said first and third grooves, means operatively associated between said cam means and said tubular member and including a cam follower for guiding said tubular member during reciprocation and rocking thereof, a sleeve surrounding said tubular member and arranged for rotation with respect thereto, there being a helical slot in 1 said sleeve engageable with saidcam follower, spring means connected between said sleeve and support, means including a releasable connection between said tubular member and tube-andbreech assembly formoving said tubular member as a unit with said assembly, in the direction of recoil with said cam follower following the aforesaid first groove and rotating said sleeve by means of said helical slot to load said spring means for reaction to rock said tubular member with said cam follower following said second groove, whereby said round-engaging means is moved to its aforesaid round-engaging position, release means connected between said releasable connection and the aforesaid cam follower and operable in response to the attainment by said cam follower of a predetermined position in its movement so that thetube-and-breech assembly is freed from said tubular member for return in counterrecoil without, said tubular member, and

means for moving said tubular member in the direction of counterrecoil with said cam follower 2 following said third groove in said cam plate, said means rocking said groove in said cam plate, said sleeve, cam follower, and third groove cooperating to rock said tubular member reversely in response to counterrecoil movement, to thereby reversely stress said springmeans to urge said follower member along said fourth groove for re-' turning said round-engaging means to its aforesaid round-free position, at the terminus of counterrecoil movement. I

15. In combination, a'support, a first member carried by said support for reciprocation with respect thereto, a second member carried by said support for reciprocation with respect thereto and including a tubular portion having an opening in the wall thereof, means for releasably connecting said members for reciprocation to-' gether in one direction and independently of each other in the other direction, said means including a connecting element carried by said first member, a lock element carried within said tubular portion of said second member adjacent said opening therein, a release member within said tubular portion and slidable axially thereof, said release member being engageable in one position with said lock element to hold said lock element extended through the aforesaid opening to engage said connecting element on said first member and cause said members to reciprocate as a unit, means normally holding said release member in position engagingsaid lock element,

' and means for moving s'aidre'le'ase niember axially of'said tubular member to permit retraction of said lock element from engagement with the aforesaid connecting element upon movement of said first-and second members together in at least one direction of reciprocation.

16. In combination, a support, a first member carried by said support for movement with respect thereto, a second member'carried by said support for movement with respect thereto and including a tubular portion having an opening in the wall thereof, means for releasably connecting said members for movementtogether through a predetermined distance and including a connecting element carried by first member, a lock element carried within said tubular portion of said second member adjacent said opening therein, arelease memberwithin said tubularportion and slidable axially thereof, means on said release member for holding said lock element in position to extend through the aforesaid opening to engage said connecting element on said first member, spring means normally holding said release member in lock-engaging position, and means responsive to movement of said first and second members together through the aforesaid predetermined distance for moving said release member axially of said tubular member to permit retraction of said lock element from engagement with the aforesaid connecting element.

17. In combination, a support, a movable member carried by said support and including a portion arranged for four-phase movement in a rectilinear path with respect to said support, means for guiding said movable member in its movement including a pair of cam members carried respectively by said support and said movable member, one of said cam members comprising a cam follower and the other grooved cam having a quadrilateral configuration according to said rec-- tilinear path of said movable member, means for moving said movable member in its first phase, yieldable means connected between said movable member and said support, means connected between said movable member and said yieldable means and operable in response to first-phase movement of said movable member to load said yieldable means for reaction to move said movable member in its second phase, means for moving said movable member in its third phase, said loading means being operable in response to third-phase movement of said movable member to load said yieldable means for reaction to move said movable member in its fourth phase.

18. In a ramming mechanism for a gun, a rammer reciprocable parallel with the bore axis of the gun and effective, in a counterrecoil direction of reciprocation, to ram a shell into the breech of the gun, a driving member fixed to the gun for movement therewith in recoil and counterrecoil, a releasable connection positively connecting said rammer and driving member for movement as a unit in recoil, and means responsive to attainment by the gun and driving member of a predetermined position in recoil, to release said connection to permit continued movement in recoil of the rammer independently of the driving member.

19. In combination, a support, a member carried by said support and including a portion arranged for movement with respect to said support through a first path and through at least a second path intersecting and arranged at an angle to said first path, means for guiding said member in its movement including a pair of cam first path td -lad'said spring means for reaction te movesaiu-member in its second path.

-"20, -In c'ombination, a support, a member-carrietiby said support andincluding a portiorrarranged for movement with respect -td said suppor t-throiigh a fi'rst path and through at least a 'second path "connected to and arranged-- at fan angle' -to' said first -path; means for guiding said member "ts" elements rifled-respectively by-saidsupport and said member, one of said elements comprising a cam follower and the other comprising a cam plate having a configuration according to said paths of movement of said member, means for moving said member in its first path, a sleeve surrounding said member and arranged for rotation with respect to said member and said support, there being a helical slot in said sleeve engageable with one of the aforesaid cam elements, spring means connected between said sleeve and said support whereby movement of said member in its first path causes rotation of said sleeve by means of said helical slot to load said spring means for reaction for moving said member in its second path.

21. A rammer for a gun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer member carried by said support for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil, said rammer member being mounted so that its reciprocatory travel is through greater linear distances than the movement of the tube-and-breech assembly in recoil and counterrecoil, a driving member connected to the tube-and-breech assembly, means between said rammer member and the breechward side of said driving member and engageable by said driving member upon recoil of the tube-and-breech assembly to drive said rammer member in the direction of recoil, releasable means between said rammer member and the other side of said driving member and normally arranged to engage said driving member so that said rammer member is prevented initially from traveling breechwardly under its own inertia upon impact of said driving member when the tubeand-breech assembly recoils, and means for, releasing said releasable means to free said rammer member for further travel in the direction of recoil.

22. In a ramming mechanism for a gun, a rammer reciprocable parallel with the axis of said gun and efiective in one direction of reciprocation to ram a shell into the breech of said gun, a driving member movable with said gun in recoil and counterrecoil, releasable means positively connecting said rammer and driving member for initial recoil as a unit, and means responsive to attainment of a predetermined point by said driving member in recoil of said gun for automatically releasing said releasable means to permit continued movement in recoil of said rammer independently of said driving member.

23; In a rammer mechanism for a gun mounted vement including a pair of-cam in a cradle for recoil, a support on said cradle, a tubular rammer carried by said support for axial reciprocation parallel with said gun and for rotation about its axis, a rammer arm extending radially from the rear end of said rammer, means forming a rectangular guide on said support, a driving member carried by said gun and engageable with said rammer for moving the same rearwardly as the gun recoils, a pin carried by said rammer and engaging said guide, and means on said support to cause said pin to traverse said guide whereby said rammer is rocked to move the end of said arm into and out of ramming positions at the respective termini of travel of said rammer.

24. A rammer mechanism as in claim 23, said last-named means comprising a tube having a helical slot in its wall, said tube being mounted for rotation only in said housing, said pin having a smooth fit through said slot to thereby oscillate 24 said tube as said rammer reciprocates, and spring means urging said tube to predetermined rotational position for either direction of oscillation therefrom.

SIGMUND SCI-EFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,360,523 Hadcock et a1 Nov. 30, 1920 1,629,683 Debrasky May 24, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 335,895 Great Britain Oct. 1, 1930 398,081 Great Britain Sept. 7, 1933 

